Cipla Gulf, Alvotech ink pact for biosimilar

New Delhi: Drug major Cipla on Monday said its subsidiary Cipla Gulf FZ LLC and biopharmaceutical company Alvotech have entered into an exclusive partnership for the commercialisation of AVT02, a biosimilar indicated for the treatment of several autoimmune diseases, in select emerging markets.

AVT02 is a biosimilar to AbbVie's Humira, which is a drug indicated for the treatment of several autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), plaque psoriasis (PP), psoriatic arthritis, ulcerative colitis (UC), and crohn's Disease (CD).

"Under the partnership, Alvotech will be responsible for development and supply of the product, while Cipla Gulf will be responsible for registration and commercialisation," Cipla said in a regulatory filing.

Alvotech's founder and Chairman Robert Wessman said: "By partnering with Cipla, Alvotech gains access to Cipla's strong commercial network in select emerging markets and deep market experience, which will ultimately benefit patients who will get better access to high-quality biosimilars".